With the amendment to the law that came into force in October 2025, the federal government has created instruments with which construction projects - especially for the creation of living space - can be realised more quickly. For example, deviations from previous planning law requirements can be authorised under certain conditions. This significantly shortens the time it takes to obtain planning permission.
The City of Chemnitz will make targeted use of this new room for manoeuvre. At the same time, the city council has established clear framework conditions with the resolution. Building projects must continue to be compatible with existing concepts and plans, such as the integrated urban development concept, the climate protection concept or municipal statutes. This ensures that projects approved after the "construction turbo" are also in line with the long-term goals of urban development.
In future, the Urban Planning and Property Office will decide on the approval of such projects within the legally stipulated deadlines. The background to this is that the new regulations provide for short processing times that do not allow political bodies to be involved in individual cases. Transparency is nevertheless guaranteed: The Committee for Urban Development and Mobility is regularly informed about the decisions made.
The resolution also defines specific criteria for the application of the "construction turbo". These include, among other things, that properties must be sufficiently developed, located in suitable building areas according to the land utilisation plan and not in flood areas. Larger construction projects and projects with potential conflicts of use - such as those near commercial and industrial areas - must continue to be developed in the regular planning process.
In addition, the City of Chemnitz can enter into supplementary agreements with investors if required. This ensures, for example, that construction projects are realised within reasonable deadlines, that any infrastructure costs incurred are borne and that public concerns are taken into account.
The resolution adopted will enable the City of Chemnitz to accelerate housing construction where it makes sense and at the same time ensure balanced development of the city. The "Bau-Turbo" is thus used as a supplementary instrument that does not replace existing planning processes, but rather expands them in a meaningful way.